We encourage all walkers to ‘wear their colours’, throw on your uniform’ to display a united front in tackling depression and PTSD head on!

WALKING OFF THE WAR WITHIN

Walking Off The War Within is held in memory of Nathan Shanahan, a returned solider and firefighter, and other fallen Service Men and Women who have taken their own lives after battling mental health issues. The Walk is for Emergency Service Personnel, Defence Force Personnel and members of the public to come together to share the burden and march as one.

Nathan was a advocate for mental health and PTSD; sadly, Nathan lost his battle in December 2016. Nathan started Walking Off The War Within, he created the image of a soldier with a shadow on his back and the walks that happen around Australian now are a way that Nathan’s legacy continues.

The walks replicates the walk Nathan completed in April 2015 from Mildura to Adelaide, when he walked over 400 kilometres with a 20+ kilogram pack to raise awareness and funds for PTSD and depression. This was his Walking Off The War Within.

Walking Off The War Within has transformed from one man’s movement to a series of events, where people of all ages and fitness levels get together and walk and talk about ending the stigma that is often associated with mental health. We hope that each year, the walk continues to grow so that more people are encouraged to have a conversation about mental health, depression and suicide.

Be part of this movement and help raise awareness of mental health, it’s a simple way to let those suffering know that there is support and that they are not alone! We encourage all participants to ‘wear their colours or uniform’ to display a united front in tackling depression and PTSD head on!

On ANZAC Day 2020, a pack walk (with a single walker at any one time) will be held in Brisbane to recognise the 400km walk that Nathan Shanahan completed before he lost his battle with mental health.

Around Australia, ANZAC Day services will not proceed and this walk is one way to continue Nathan’s legacy. Trek2Health is hosting this walk while working within the parameters of Covid-19. You can purchase a Facemask-Bandana to support Trek2Health – Resilience Via Earth and Walking Off the War within. Visit www.trek2health.org.au to purchase yours.

The 2020 WOTWW events have been postponed

A number of the WOTWW committee members came together this morning in Mildura to discuss the latest advice regarding Covid-19 / Corona Virus and public gatherings. We are sad to inform you that a

A number of the WOTWW committee members came together this morning in Mildura to discuss the latest advice regarding Covid-19 / Corona Virus and public gatherings. We are sad to inform you that a decision has been made to postpone ALL of the upcoming Walking Off The War Within events until further notice.

This decision comes with a feeling of disappointment however has been made in response to advice handed down yesterday by the Australian Chief Medical Officer with regards to public events and gatherings of more than 500 people to be cancelled.

The advice is official and unanimous from each State medical officer. Cancelling large public events is one of the precautionary measures being taken by the Government to manage the spread of the corona virus and to minimise the impact on the community.

We understand that not each of our events will attract participant numbers of 500 or more, nevertheless as WOTWW is sanctioned or supported by the CFA and emergency services across Australia, it is necessary that our response is for all events planned for the coming weeks and months. The issue of our event insurance has also been a consideration.

We are very mindful that a number of amazing people have worked hard to pull this event together and understand that they and you will be disappointed. The intention is for the events to run at another time when we have advice from the authorities that allows us to proceed.

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People all across Australia were ready to take on the challenge for mental health…

Community walks were planned in a range of locations including Ballarat, Mildura, Canberra, Warrnambool, Darwin, Yulara, Alice Springs, Kalgoorlie, Wagga Wagga and Brisbane.

People were ready to take on 20km with 20kg or walk as much as you can, with or without a pack, on your own or with a mate. We challenge you – your mates, family, colleagues and friends – to throw on your walking boots, grab your pack and march as one; everyone welcome. Help us fight depression and PTSD and let return service people and our emergency service personnel know they are not alone. The events are open to everyone, of all abilities and ages including those Emergency Service and Defence Force personnel and members of the general public.

We encourage you, your group or business / organisation to take in 2020 and help raise awareness for PTSD and depression.

For more details and for registration, click on your event below. If it doesn’t link anywhere, hold tight, details are still be confirmed. Pop back shortly to check it out…

TRUCKER HATS – GREY/BLACK/ CAMO

Make a donation

You can make a donation to support the work of the Walking Off The War Within team. We raise funds through donations, ticket sales, sponsorship and grants. Funds are used to deliver family friendly inclusive community walks across Australia, our walks shine a light on mental health and are one way to shaking off the stigma associated with mental health. Our walks are making a difference and in some cases, saving lives. Our events allow people living with mental health issues to know that they are not alone and that together, the burden of depression and PTSI can be shared. Importantly our community walks enable people to talk about suicide. The work that this not-for-profit group, run almost entirely on people-power, is saving lives.

We also make donations to local service providers who are working directly with people living with mental health.

Account Name: Walking Off The War Within

BSB: 083-532 | Account Number: 31-349-6633

Reference: Please include your surname in payment description where possible

Email: Send an email to info@walkoffww.com to let us know a donation has been made

Event Contacts

Victorian Event Contact

Northern Territory Event Contact

I consent to Walk off the War Within collecting my details through this form.

The Man in the Glass (Poem)

When you get what you want in your struggle for selfAnd the world makes you king for a day,Just go to a mirror and look at yourselfAnd see what that man has to say.

It isn’t your father or mother or wifeWhose judgment upon you must pass,The fellow whose verdict counts most in your lifeIs the one staring back from the glass.

Some people might think you’re a straight-shooting chumAnd call you a wonderful guy,But the man in the glass says you’re only a bumIf you can’t look him straight in the eye.

He’s the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,For he’s with you clear to the end,And you’ve passed your most dangerous testIf the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of yearsAnd get pats on the back as you pass,But your final reward will be heartache and tearsIf you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

Friday, March 13, 2020 – 4pm

A message from the WOTWW team.

CANCELLATION OF THE MILDURA WALKING OFF THE WAR WITHIN EVENT

It is with disappointment that we are announcing the cancellation of tomorrow’s (14/03/20) Walking Off The War Within (WOTWW) event in Mildura.

As a result of advice given today by the Australian Chief Medical Officer – that events and gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled – the team has decided to cancel tomorrow’s event with the view of holding it in the future when we are in a position to do so.

Currently, Mildura has 800+ people registered and over 100 supporters and spectators attending the day. We are thrilled with these numbers and support however fit into the category that the Government is making decisions about.

We are very mindful that a number of amazing people have worked hard to pull this event together and understand that they will be disappointed. The advice is official and cancelling large events is one of the precautionary measures being taken by the Government to manage the spread of the corona virus and to minimise the impact on the community.

This is unanimous advice from each State medical officer and we need to heed this advice and respond accordingly.

Other WOTWW events…

There are more WOTWW planned in the coming weeks and months around Australia and we will provide information on these events as we know more.

Thank you…

The WOTWW team wishes to thank everyone involved in tomorrow’s event including registered walkers, supporters, food and entertainment vendors, sponsors, media outlets and many others. We are endeavouring to get in touch with people before tomorrow and hope that they’re not too impacted by this cancellation.